Home Painting Question

[HeadonaStick]

I just purchased a spoiler for my CGM car - it is going to go great, except for the fact that it is a blue spoiler!

I am planning on painting it myself. Sand it, prime it, paint a few coats with spray touch up paint, a couple of clear coats, finished.

It sounds perfectly easy. So, what should I be looking out for as I am working and I am foolish to try it at home? Anyone do something like this successfully?

[SSMickey]

Surface prep is the key. Make sure you have a smooth primer coat and that it's absolutely clean before painting the color coat. Spray your color coats light to medium. You can always add another coat, but a heavy coat that runs is a disaster. Same with the clear coat. I always spray lots of clear since I wet sand most of it off to get a smooth finish to polish. If you sand, go easy so you don't cut through the clear, and remember, the paint will be thinner along the edges. Take your time and you should be fine. I would consider getting your paint from here.
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

[HeadonaStick]

Thanks. Do you wet sand the colors coats as well or just wet sand between clear coats. I plan on spraying outside and I am concerned about dust in the paint.

I figure worst case I goof it up and have to have it sprayed by a body shop. I'd rather try it myself first.

[Sickness91Z28]

Originally Posted by HeadonaStick

Thanks. Do you wet sand the colors coats as well or just wet sand between clear coats. I plan on spraying outside and I am concerned about dust in the paint.

I figure worst case I goof it up and have to have it sprayed by a body shop. I'd rather try it myself first.

You don't wetsand between any coats. Prime, then block. Base then clear. Sand add buff is the last thing you do. It's really not as easy as it sounds though. If you put the clear on to thick and don't let it tack up between coats, you will get major solivent pop. Like you said though, worst thing that could happen is to sand it back down and have a shop do it.

[HeadonaStick]

Originally Posted by Sickness91Z28

You don't wetsand between any coats. Prime, then block. Base then clear. Sand add buff is the last thing you do. It's really not as easy as it sounds though. If you put the clear on to thick and don't let it tack up between coats, you will get major solivent pop. Like you said though, worst thing that could happen is to sand it back down and have a shop do it.

I am sure it isn't as easy as it sounds or looks. That is why I normally only let professionals touch my car... but I figure a spoiler that isn't mounted yet is a perfect place to try my hand at this... I don't have to put it on the car at all if it doesn't work out. I just want to try and learn something new

Thanks for the advice.